The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has issued a strong directive to all its hospitals nationwide, emphasizing that all prescribed medicines must be dispensed to patients directly through the OPD pharmacy of the hospital.
This directive comes in the wake of persistent grievances from ESI beneficiaries regarding the non-issuance of prescribed medicines from the hospital’s OPD pharmacy, even when such medicines are reportedly available in the hospital’s medical store.
🏥 Background:
The latest communication, referring to earlier instructions dated 22.09.2021, underscores ESIC’s continued efforts to improve the quality and accessibility of medical care in its hospitals and dispensaries.
As per existing protocol:
- All OPD/IPD patients should receive their prescribed medications from the hospital’s own pharmacy.
- No patient should be turned away or asked to source medicines externally if the medicine is in stock in the hospital.
📌 Key Directive:
The circular mandates:
- All Deans and Medical Superintendents of ESIC Hospitals must ensure that available medicines in the hospital store are properly indented and stocked in the OPD pharmacy.
- The aim is to ensure smooth and efficient delivery of medical care and to eliminate unnecessary patient hardship.
⚠️ Why This Matters:
- Many patients have reported having to purchase medicines out-of-pocket despite availability in the hospital, defeating the purpose of the ESIC scheme.
- The directive is part of a broader push to strengthen service delivery and enhance beneficiary satisfaction.
✅ Action Required:
- All hospital units must take immediate steps to streamline medicine inventory transfer from store to pharmacy.
- Regular monitoring and compliance checks are expected to follow.
This move is aligned with ESIC’s broader commitment to universal, cashless, and accessible healthcare for its insured persons and their dependents.